For a long time I thought that I was the only person living on this side of the Cascades who actually likes the long nights that winter brings. Summer is supposed to be everyone's favorite season, and yes, here in the PNW we greatly appreciate it when it finally comes. In fact, summer here is hard to beat; it rarely gets above 90 degrees, isn't muggy and comes with far fewer biting bugs than most parts of the country.
I find, however, that after a stretch of sun, brightness, heat and long daylight hours, the early darkness is soothing. That's why I welcome fall when it comes. Lately I'm meeting a growing number of people with similar feelings. It's as if we sigh with relief, fling off the sunglasses, put aside our noisy active selves and settle in for a long winter night's reading by the fireplace.
Summer's energy is intensely social. It's a time for hosting and visiting friends and relatives. Kids are home from school. There's always something going on in the streets and parks. It's all fun but eventually most people need a respite from constant stimulation.
In my neighborhood during summer, between revving engines, roaring lawn mowers and streetside shouting matches, it's sometimes impossible to find a quiet corner anywhere. But when cool fall weather rolls around, most people retreat inside. On a drizzly day I'm sometimes the only dog walker out & about. A winter evening stroll provides the best conditions for processing recent events, thinking about situations and making plans. If I leave the phone at home, there are no interruptions, emergencies or demands. There's enough breathing room to sort things out.
Even the most outgoing person needs a little "white space" in her life now and then. In traditional agricultural societies, winter was a time of rest. Humans are wired to rest and nest during the dark time of year.
Today we find ourselves making excuses whenever we crave space, as if putting limits on social and work obligations means we're slacking off. In addition, some people have to deal with overblown expectations for the holidays. It's hard to say "not this time" in the face of social pressure. And to top it off, electric lighting makes it possible to stay awake (theoretically, at least) far into the night in order to "get it all done."
But without darkness, silence and inward times for recharging, we might not have the juice to dive back into our activities when daylight comes again.
